Five Minutes With ... Gary Kleck

FIVE VEminutes with...

Gary Kleck EVP/Chief Lending Officer

Legacy National Bank, Springdale, AR

Q. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN BANKING?

A. I started in banking in 1985 as an examiner for the Arkansas State Bank Department. Banking interested me in college and I got to know several examiners after graduating from college. The State Bank Department seemed like a good avenue to gain a broad knowledge of banking rather quickly. I was able to meet many bankers across the state and those connections allowed me to enter into the private sector of banking in 1989.

Q. WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF BEING A HOMETOWN BANKER?

A. The best part of being a hometown banker is working for a bank where decisions are made locally by people that are well known in the community. Legacy encourages us to be involved in the community, which has allowed me to get to know many business owners and community leaders. The most rewarding part of being a community banker is helping people realize financial dreams. A community bank allows more latitude to provide quick decisions and flexible products.

Q. WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE DO YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN YOU STARTED YOUR CAREER?

A. Take the time to really get to know your customer and don’t be afraid to lead with advice. Many times bankers become order takers and try to provide products and services without much

“The best part of being a hometown banker is working for a bank where decisions are made locally by people that are well known in the community. Legacy encourages us to be involved in the community, which has allowed me to get to know many business owners and community leaders.”

“Take the time to really get to know your customer and don’t be afraid to lead with advice. Many times bankers become order takers and try to provide products and services without much thought as to what is best not only for the bank, but what is best for the customer.”

thought as to what is best not only for the bank, but what is best for the customer. Some of the best long-term relationships I have are with customers that I have advised not to go through with a project. Most customers truly want advice when considering financial services.

Q. WHAT CIVIC PROJECT HAS YOUR BANK PARTICIPATED IN THAT TOUCHED YOU THE MOST?

A. Legacy National Bank is a sponsor of Lee Elementary School in Springdale. Lee is located in an area that is designated as low to moderate income, therefore most students do not have the financial resources to purchase books and school supplies. Legacy helped the school purchase a van that is used as a mobile library during the summer. The mobile library will visit parts of town such as apartment complexes where many of the students live. The mobile library allows students to check out books without physically having to go to the library. Legacy associates are able to ride around in the mobile library and help distribute books weekly. The children are super excited when they see the mobile library in their neighborhood.

Legacy associates also go to Lee Elementary weekly to read to kindergarten classes. The students and teachers really appreciate the time Legacy associates are able to spend at school functions.

Q. IF YOU WERE AN ACTION FIGURE, WHAT ACCESSORIES WOULD YOU BE SOLD WITH?

A. If I were an action figure I would want to be Superman, however the accessory I would like to be sold with would be the Batmobile. I have a passion for cars and the Batmobile is the coolest action figure accessory out there.